On Wednesday, December 17, Kim Potter took the stand and described what happened during the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright in her own words.
Shortly afterward, she was cross-examined. Attorneys began by talking about crisis negotiation work and her history of working in stressful situations. Potter said that she did “some” traffic stops during her 26-year career as a patrol officer and agreed that sometimes people can become violent or want to flee from the scene.
Potter agreed that she was bound by the policy that the department sets and that her fundamental duty is to “safeguard life” and never employ unnecessary force.
Potter Discusses Her Use-Of-Force Training
During cross-examination, the prosecution grilled #KimPotter about her extensive training in Taser use. Under questioning, Potter acknowledged that she is right-handed and kept her Taser on her left side for years and years. @LawCrimeNetwork pic.twitter.com/mfsX1V970g
— Law&Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) December 17, 2021
Potter testified that her use-of-force scenario-based training was “slow and meticulous and controlled.” She had previously testified earlier in the day that she had never missed a training session and agreed that she “paid attention” during training sessions.
Over 26 years as a patrol officer, Potter agreed with the attorney’s statement that she had “thousands” of hours of training under her belt. She said in 1995 she had a firearm when she was sworn in, but tasers were not introduced until 2002.
Potter does not dispute that she did not do a spark test on her taser for her last ten shifts, according to the documents. She also claims that she does not remember what type of cartridge the taser used.
Potter did testify, however, that she has not deployed a taser in the field.
Potter Talks About The Day Of The Shooting
Kim Potter breaks down while testifying in her own defense in the shooting death of Daunte Wright: “I remember yelling ‘Taser, Taser, Taser,’ and nothing happened. And then he told me I shot him.” https://t.co/XCBv4q6397 pic.twitter.com/n9o9T7oV5H
— ABC News (@ABC) December 17, 2021
Potter testified that she has seen lots of cars with expired tabs and air fresheners and testified earlier in the day that she probably would not have pulled the car over if she had been by herself.
Potter said that Officer Anthony Luckey came back to the car with a name and a date of birth and when they ran Daunte Wright’s name in the system. That was how he found out there was a warrant out for Wright’s arrest.
Potter disagreed with the assertion that she unsnapped her gun holster as officers approached the vehicle. They showed footage with Potter’s hand on the right side of her body, but Potter did not agree that she unsnapped her gun.
Potter said that when Wright started struggling with Officer Luckey, she was concerned that he was going to attempt to flee. She said that Wright was able to get in the car but testified that she did not see a weapon or a gun. She agreed that Wright never threatened the officers or attempted to punch or kick them.
Potter had previously stated that the car was still running, although she said today that she wasn’t sure if the car was running or not. When they started showing the bodycam footage of the incident, Potter was reduced to tears and could not stop crying.
At that point, her attorney asked for a break and the courtroom retired for lunch.
